Hurler bailed out by benefactor

A hurler who stole an estimated €70,000 from his former employers, was this morning given 240 hours of community service in lieu of seven, concurrent two-year prison sentences.

Galway hurler, David Glennon (27), from Gurtymadden, Loughrea, pleaded guilty this time last year to seven sample charges involving the theft of various amounts of cash, totalling €40,460, from J&C Kenny Wine Distributors, Galway, on various dates between November 1, 2014 and July 8, 2015. The facts in a further 16 similar charges were admitted, bringing the total amount involved to an estimated €70,000.

Glennon pleaded guilty to the theft of individual amounts from his employers ranging from €2,000, €6,050, €5,600, €4,180, €6,581, €8,301 and €7,528 on seven separate dates.

Sentence was adjourned to last January and was adjourned then to today’s date for an up-to-date report on the accused.

Prosecuting barrister, Geri Silke told the court today that a mystery donor had repaid €65,000 on Glennon’s behalf to the family-run Galway company and a further €5,000 had also been repaid to the victims on his behalf.

Reading the probation report which was handed into court today, Judge Rory McCabe remarked Glennon “had an arrangement between himself and the donor to deal with debt”.

Ms Silke reminded Judge McCabe he had placed the offences in the midrange on the scale of gravity and had indicated a headline sentence in January of four years. She said he had also said the appropriate sentence was two-years after taking mitigating factors into account.

Judge McCabe noted that Glennon had apologised for his actions and had repaid the money. He said the report indicated Glennon posed a low risk of reoffending and was remorseful.

He was also found to be a suitable candidate for community service should the court see fit not to impose a custodial sentence.

The judge then sentenced Glennon to two years in prison on each of the seven theft charges, the sentences to run concurrently, and in lieu of each sentence he directed Glennon carry out the maximum of 240 hours’ community service, also to run concurrently, which must be served within the next twelve months.